Guidance

Transporting fresh and live seafood or day-old chicks to the EU

What to do if your heavy goods vehicle (HGV) is carrying exclusively fresh and live seafood or day-old chicks and there is severe disruption at Dover or Eurotunnel.

This guidance was withdrawn on

Traffic management measures in Kent have been removed and the Kent Access Permit (KAP) has been stood down.

There are no reports of severe disruption at the moment. There is no priority for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) carrying exclusively specific fresh and live seafood for human consumption or day-old chicks.

Priority when there is severe disruption

When there is severe disruption, you will be diverted to a prioritisation control site if you’re carrying exclusively specific fresh and live seafood for human consumption or day-old chicks.

You’ll go through a few checks before you’re able to bypass the Kent traffic management system (Operation Brock) queues between junctions 8 and 9. You’ll need to present documents to prove you’re carrying one of the categories of prioritised goods. This aim is to minimise delays for prioritised vehicles through the traffic management system in Kent if it is needed.

There will be no change to EU import controls.

Move goods through Dover or by Eurotunnel

HGV drivers or designated hauliers need to use the Check an HGV is ready to cross the border service to:

  • check if you have all the paperwork you need to cross the border
  • get a Kent Access Permit (KAP) before you travel through Kent

This applies whether the HGV is carrying goods or not. If an HGV is empty the driver must still declare this on the Check an HGV is ready to cross the border service and get a valid KAP.

The KAP will be valid for a 24 hour period. The person using the service will be able to select the date and time they would like the KAP to start.

HGV drivers travelling toward the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel could be stopped and fined up to £300 for:

  • entering the road network in Kent without having a KAP
  • making false declarations

Read about the Kent traffic management system.

Updates to this page

Published 11 December 2020

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